Entries from April 2008 ↓

Just Kickin’ It

Carl Douglas

You’ve gotta wade past 1:50 of what looks like late ’60s, public access-level Dutch TV sitcomedy. But if you live through that, in sight is a glorious YouTube of Carl Douglas lip-syncing his signature 1974 track, “Kung-Fu Fighting.” [Insert Bruce Lee wild cat sound here.]

Best. Reality. TV Show. Ever.

Ramsay in a rare moment of repose
Devil in the details: Chef Gordon Ramsay emerges from the flames

Hell’s Kitchen, whose 4th season begins tonight on FOX at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT, didn’t get even a nod from me during its first two seasons, but after a chance viewing last year, I’ve become perversely hooked. Set in the titular TV restaurant/studio of Scottish chef Gordon James Ramsay, the contest pits two ambitious teams of would-be head cooks against each other, as they struggle to win top dog status in their own “million-dollar restaurant” (although, when you think of it, a million-dollar restaurant could be, like, a little corner eatery).

So what? This is the essential topology of every r-show since the May 2000 U.S. debut of Survivor. I think what roped me in, however, is:

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